Planning a move from Montgomery to Ohio? Real cost estimates, top mover rankings, and cost of living comparisons for this 696-mile interstate route.
Tell us about your move and we'll connect you with vetted, top-rated moving companies.
If you're packing up in Montgomery and heading to Ohio, you're looking at roughly a 696-mile interstate move — far enough that who you hire and when you book matters a lot more than most people factor in. Below you'll find the five Montgomery movers that can handle this route, what the move should actually cost depending on your home size and service type, and a straight look at what life in Ohio compares to life in Montgomery.
Five Montgomery movers handle interstate volume and have enough of a track record to evaluate. Here's how they rank:
If you want to pull in a quote from a national carrier alongside these local options, Safe Ship Moving is one I'd recommend for long-distance moves on routes like this — they're worth including in your comparison.
Here's a closer look at each Montgomery mover.
1285 Parker St, Montgomery, AL 36108
Coleman has more than a century of operating history and a full service menu — local, interstate, international, packing, crating, storage, even safes. Sixty-three percent of reviews praise professional crews and solid communication. The 25% negative rate is the part I'd want a friend to know about: recurring complaints include damage to high-value items, significant delivery delays, and inconsistent quality from local subcontracted labor. If you have irreplaceable belongings, get their care and delivery commitments in writing before signing anything.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, offices, crating, storage, safes Phone: (877) 693-7060
520 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108
A 91% positive rate is legitimately high in this industry. Customers who moved antiques and high-end furniture report strong results, and pricing consistently gets called reasonable. Where this company stumbles is claims handling — when something does get damaged, a handful of reviewers describe slow responses and unfair insurance payouts. Before hiring them for a move with anything fragile or valuable, ask directly how they manage damage claims. That conversation will tell you a lot.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, offices, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing Phone: (334) 202-9059
2450 Wall St, Millbrook, AL 36054
Nearly 90% positive across 400-plus reviews is a meaningful number. The consistent themes: fast crews, careful handling, competitive rates, and teams that can manage large or complex moves without drama. The negative 10% tends to center on damaged items and communication lapses — not unique to Motivated Movers, but consistent enough to flag. For a standard residential move from Montgomery to Ohio, they're one of the stronger choices on this list.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, antiques, crating, storage, safes Phone: (334) 221-1222
1200 Newell Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36110
That 95% positive rate is the best of anyone on this list, and 244 Google reviews is a real sample. Reviewers consistently describe crews that go out of their way to protect furniture and accommodate tight schedules. The complaints that do surface mention occasional last-minute price increases and delivery delays. Admiral is also DOD certified, which matters if you're a military family relocating through Montgomery. For a straightforward residential move to Ohio, they're the most consistently recommended option in this group.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, safes, DOD certified Phone: (334) 262-6666
2255 South Forbes Dr., Montgomery, AL 36110
C & R is the youngest company here, and the review pattern reflects it. When they're on, customers describe fast, careful crews at competitive prices. But 25% negative is too high to ignore for an interstate move, with specific complaints about hard-to-reach customer service, last-minute cancellations, and occasional lost or damaged items. I'd use them as a secondary quote rather than a first choice for a 700-mile haul.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, grandfather clocks, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing Phone: (334) 233-6766
Here's how the five movers stack up on add-ons — useful if you have specific needs for this route:
| Service | # Offering | % of Movers |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 5 | 100% |
| Pianos | 4 | 80% |
| Antiques | 3 | 60% |
| Art | 3 | 60% |
| Small moves | 2 | 40% |
| Fragile-only packing | 2 | 40% |
All five handle interstate volume. If you need custom crating for oversized, fragile, or oddly shaped items — art, antiques, electronics — five movers offer it, but always confirm the specifics. Experience levels with specialty items vary crew to crew.
The table below lays out estimated costs by home size and service type for this route, based on a 696-mile move.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,177 – $3,636 | $702 – $1,730 | $454 – $885 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,191 – $5,441 | $1,264 – $2,423 | $526 – $1,115 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,828 – $7,820 | $1,658 – $3,175 | $630 – $1,298 |
Estimates reflect pricing data for a 696-mile move from Montgomery, AL to Ohio as of January 2026. Actual costs vary based on move size, access conditions, added services, fuel prices, and timing.
Use the moving cost calculator to get a number based on your specific home size and situation.
Studio or one-bedroom moves land between $1,177 and $3,636 with a full-service company. Two-to-three bedroom moves typically run $2,191 to $5,441. A large four-or five-bedroom home will likely cost $3,828 to $7,820. Those ranges are wide because company pricing, timing, and home specifics all push the number. Getting at least three written quotes is the only reliable way to see where you'll actually land.
Moving containers split the difference — you handle the packing and loading, the company handles transport. For a studio or one-bedroom, expect $702 to $1,730. Two-to-three bedroom moves run $1,264 to $2,423. Larger homes (4+ bedrooms) land at $1,658 to $3,175.
A rental truck is almost always the cheapest option — but you're driving nearly 700 miles and doing all the lifting yourself. Expect $454 to $885 for a studio or one-bedroom. Two-to-three bedrooms run $526 to $1,115. Larger homes land at $630 to $1,298. Those figures factor in average fuel costs for the route.
A few things will move your quote up or down more than you might expect:
Moving to Ohio from Montgomery involves some genuine financial trade-offs. Rent is cheaper, income is higher — but so are home prices and the overall cost of living.
| Montgomery, AL | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,200 | $945 |
| Average home price | $140,563 | $230,798 |
| Per capita income | $49,989 | $66,990 |
| Cost of living index | 79 | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 3.6% |
| State income tax | 5.0% | 3.5% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, BLS, Tax Foundation, Zumper, Numbeo
What that table actually means in practice:
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Ohio is a real departure from Montgomery.
| Montgomery, AL | Ohio | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,603 | 11,785,935 |
| Political leaning | Democratic (49.8–48.3) | Republican (55–45) |
| Summer high | 91°F | 84°F |
| Winter low | 35°F | 20°F |
| Annual rainfall | 51" | 40" |
| Annual snowfall | 0" | 28" |
| Crime index | 65.25 | 20.76 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270toWin, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia
A few things that tend to surprise Montgomery transplants:
A few things that tend to get missed on interstate moves:
Ohio has more going for it than most people expect before they actually live there.
Most moves on this route take one to six days, depending on company and service type. Summer moves carry more risk of delays due to peak-season demand. Before booking, ask your mover for an estimated delivery window — not just pickup, but actual delivery at your Ohio address.
Five movers in Montgomery offer custom crating for fragile, oversized, or irregularly shaped items. Three specifically handle antiques and art. If you have specialty pieces, confirm the details before booking — crew experience with high-value items varies.
Use a dedicated auto transport company rather than adding it to your household move. Look for FMCSA registration, clear insurance terms, and a track record on this corridor before committing.
Primarily economic: Ohio's unemployment rate is nearly 40% lower than Montgomery's, per capita incomes are higher, and cities like Columbus have seen consistent growth. The lower crime index is another factor that comes up frequently.
One of the five movers listed here accepts cash. Cash isn't standard in the industry — most prefer traceable payment methods. Expect to pay a deposit to hold your date, with the balance due at pickup or delivery. Confirm payment terms and timing in writing before you sign.
Start with the five companies reviewed above. For national carriers that cover this corridor, see our best interstate movers list.
Get quotes from at least three companies before you commit. Prices vary more than most people expect based on timing, access, and services — and the only number that matters is the one in writing. Use the moving cost calculator to start narrowing it down.
